Sonya Fujioka
Site: Metropolitan State University Dental Clinic
Position: Clinic Coordinator
Location: Maplewood, MN
Email: sonya.fujioka@metrostate.edu
Hometown: Winona, MN
Education: Graduated from UW – Madison with a BS in Biology
A learning or work experience that changed me: Working at the dental clinic has opened my eyes to the enormous amount and variety of people who have difficulty accessing dental care today. Seeing how much of a need there is for low cost dental care has given me a new viewpoint for current healthcare policies.
Why did you choose to serve as an AmeriCorps VISTA with College Health Corps? I knew I wanted to take a gap year before entering dental school but wanted to do something worthwhile with that time. AmeriCorps and College Health Corps gave me the perfect opportunity to serve the community while gaining knowledge of the dental field.
Inspirational person/quote: “When you see a person without a smile, give them yours”
One word that best describes me: open-minded
Place I would most like to visit: Bora Bora
Favorite food(s): Italian and Japanese foods
Favorite holiday: Thanksgiving
One thing I can’t live without: my computer
Hobbies: tennis, reading, traveling
In 5 years I would like to be: I hope to be practicing as a general or public health dentist, continuing to help people who have trouble accessing dental care.
